Dolezel Nominated for AFL Hall of Fame Induction
June 23, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (June 23, 2012) - The Arena Football League has released the list of 2012 Hall of Fame Finalists. Included on the list is current Philadelphia Soul assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, Clint Dolezel. He finished his brilliant 13-year playing career in 2008 with the Dallas Desperados with amazing career numbers: completed 3,749-of-5,698 passes (65.8 percent), a QB Rating of 117.75 and 95 victories as a starting quarterback.
"He might be the most competitive player that ever put on the pads," said Philadelphia Soul general manager and AFL Hall of Fame Operating Board member, Tom Goodhines. "He was consistently among the League's best at his position year-in and year-out and has the statistics to back it up. His teams were automatically considered a title contender whenever he was under center."
Dolezel is No. 2 in career passing yards (44,564) and touchdown passes (931). Clint is also the only quarterback in AFL history to throw for over 400 yards in a game six times and matched one of the League's most vaunted records by throwing for 11 touchdowns in a game three different times. He threw for over 100 touchdowns in a season twice (2006-07) and led his team to a 15-win season (15-1 in 2007). He also has a championship to his credit when he led the Grand Rapids Rampage to the title in 2001.
2012 Hall of Fame Finalists include: QB SHERDRICK BONNER, the Greatest Quarterback in AFL History according to the Silver Anniversary Committee in 2012; HC MIKE DAILEY, a two-time ArenaBowl champion coach (XIII, XIX); QB CLINT DOLEZEL, a three-time All-Arena selection and a passing leader of the AFL for four years; WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD, a six-time All-Arena selection and three-time All-Ironman selection; WR/LB DARRYL HAMMOND, a four-time All-Ironman selection; current Iowa Barnstormers HC MIKE HOHENSEE, who won ArenaBowl XX as a Head Coach and owns the third spot in AFL history for most regular season wins (135), WR/LB GREG HOPKINS, a four-time All-Arena and All-Ironman selection; FB/LB BOB McMILLEN, a three-time ArenaBowl Champion; FOUNDING PARTNER WILLIAM NIRO, one of the original founders of the AFL; and DB CLEVAN THOMAS, a five-time All-Arena selection and 2002 Rookie of the Year and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Each member selected ten candidates based on AFL contribution in the categories of players, coaches, administrators, officials and "at-large."
In order to be nominated for the 2012 Hall of Fame Class, candidates must meet four criteria. If a player was active before 1989, he must have played for two seasons. For players after 1989, three seasons of service are required. All players must be retired for three complete seasons. Coaches must have been active for a minimum of five seasons and need not be retired.
Fans and current Hall of Fame members will vote on the finalists beginning on Monday, June 25, 2012. Votes will then be turned into the Hall of Fame Operating Board of Directors, who will officially select the 2012 AFL Hall of Fame Class.
The 2012 Hall of Fame Class will be announced during ArenaBowl XXV in New Orleans and inductions will be held during the Arena Football League's 2013 opening weekend.
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